Why is the new museum required?

The new Chau Chak Wing (CCW) Museum, at approximately 8000 square metres (gross floor area), will consolidate the current Macleay and Nicholson museums, the University Art Gallery and associated cultural and scientific collections transforming the use of the museum to a primary focus of object-based learning. In this way, it will play a key role in support of the University's strategic directional focus on education and research.

The new building on the Fisher Tennis Courts site consolidates the existing collections while supporting cultural and scientific enquiry, and providing a new benchmark for integrated cross-disciplinary teaching and learning through exhibitions and museum collections alongside study rooms. The CCW Museum will become the focal point for University-wide cultural outreach.

Consolidating these three exhibition spaces will provide efficiency in operational management, whilst consolidating the Collections into the Collections Education Research and Conservation Facility (from six places into one or two) will improve security. Ensuring that the artefacts/objects d’art will be now kept within purpose-built and strictly environmentally controlled areas will ensure that they are maintained for future generations to enjoy.

How does this new museum compare in size?

Most museums typically display up to approximately five percent of their collections. Across the three current spaces, our previous museums and gallery displayed less than one percent of our extensive collections. This new building will provide space to display up to three percent of our collections.

Why are you no longer repurposing the Macleay and Edgeworth-David buildings to house the Chau Chak Wing Museum?

After extensive due diligence investigations, it was discovered that the existing Macleay and Edgeworth-David buildings were not fit for purpose as a modern museum to meet stringent internal environmental controls. Further assessment of repurposing both the Macleay and Edgeworth-David buildings showed that the extent of works were far more extensive and cost prohibitive than previously envisaged, and similar to constructing a new building within the old heritage façade.

Where will the new museum be built?

The CCW Museum will be built on the existing Fisher tennis courts at the entrance to the University at the corner of University Avenue and Parramatta Road - opposite the Fisher Library and Quadrangle. This site has been proposed to contain a new building on four separate University masterplans since 1915.

In this proposed location, the University will be provided with an iconic cultural asset at the forefront of other comparable cultural venues in New South Wales and Australia.

When will the museum open?

Construction of the new museum building is expected to be completed in 2019 and the museum will open after the collections and exhibitions/displays have been relocated and set-up in 2020.

When will construction start?

We have completed an extensive process to arrive at the design for the building. We lodged our State Significant Development application in May 2017. We have received Development Consent for the Chau Chak Wing Museum and construction work will begin in April 2018

What will become of the Edgeworth-David and Macleay buildings?

At the moment, these buildings will continue with their current function. Some of the occupants are expected to relocate into the new LEES1 Building presently under construction. These buildings will be re-purposed for other University uses in the future.

How long will the Nicholson Museum remain open and what will happen with its current space?

The Nicholson Museum will remain open to visitors until early 2020. The University will decide on appropriate reuse of this space which, before its Nicholson phase, was part of the original Fisher Library.

Will you be relocating the tennis courts currently on the site of the new museum?

The University currently has some 24 tennis courts across Camperdown and Darlington campuses. This project proposes to reduce that number to 21. The Fisher tennis courts were not highly utilised and, as such, re-purposing of this site will have minimal impact.

Why did you choose this particular location?

The site is among the most prominent at the University, opposite the Fisher Library, fronting Parramatta Road, Victoria Park and the Quadrangle, making it an ideal site for a public museum.

The location had a significant meaning for the Gadigal people of the Eora nation for thousands of years as a gathering place and hunting ground, and this long history will be acknowledged and explored within the museum.

After review of the extremely limited sites available on Camperdown/Darlington campuses, this site was selected as the best option due to its proximity to the Quadrangle and the 'Cultural Precinct' proposed under the Campus Improvement Program (CIP) 2014-20. This site has been proposed to contain a new building on four separate University masterplans since 1915.

Will you be re-utilising any of the original cases from the old Macleay Museum?

Yes, we will be reusing some of the original timber cases from the Macleay Museum and some of the existing glass cases from the Nicholson Museum. These original unique cases were purpose-built for the presentation and display of specimens and artefacts. To retain some of these unique cases and present some elements of the collection in the way they were originally is to maintain some of the historically important heritage of both museums, which will be of continuing interest to current and future generations.

Does this change have an impact on the donations you've received for the museum?

No

Are your donors happy with this outcome?

Yes

How big will the new museum be?

The museum will be approximately 8000 square metres (gross floor area) over some five levels. Three of these levels will be underground at the western end with two opening out to 'daylight' at the eastern end. The lowest level is completely underground.

This will include around 2000 square metres of exhibition space which is approximately three times the space currently provided.

What features will the museum contain?

Gallery, exhibition and display spaces including a large temporary exhibition gallery space;

Research and study areas (object studios) for University and school students to engage in object based study and research;

Does this mean the University Art Gallery and Macleay Museum can remain open while the Chau Chak Wing Museum is built?

The University Art Gallery and Macleay Museum closed in November 2016 to enable staff to safely pack the artefacts and art pieces, and prepare exhibitions and programs for the new museum. The Nicholson Museum will remain open until just before the opening of the CCW Museum.

Are you providing additional carparking for this new museum?

The CCW Museum is not providing any new carparks for the general public or its staff. Whilst we shall be repurposing some existing carpark spaces for new disabled car-parking near the entry, there will be no new carpark spaces provided with this development.

The roadway directly in front of the museum shall be designated for pick-up and set-down only. The University strongly supports and relies upon the use of public transport by students, staff and the general public for environmentally friendly and sustainability reasons and the triple bottom-line benefits that result from this stance. This project clearly demonstrates that support and reliance.

Does this development form part of the CIP program?

The consolidation of the museum into one location is a CIP initiative. However, in this location the CCW Museum development sits outside of previously approved CIP envelopes and as such is subject to a separate planning approval process. It still lies generally within the context of, and remains an integral part of, creating a 'Cultural Precinct' within this geographical quadrant of the Camperdown campus.

What will be the new museum's opening hours?

Typically 10am to 5pm, 7 days a week, with one night per week on average open to 9pm.

How many visitors are expected to visit the museum?

120,000 visitors per annum growing to plateau at 375,000 per annum over the next 30 years. A starting average of approximately 330 visitors per day rising to an average of approximately 1030 visitors per day.

School students will start at 12,000 per annum growing to cap at 20,000 over the next 20 years.

What will be exhibited in the museum?

The University’s museum collections are broadly diverse and unique and a selection from this range will be exhibited, as well as a dynamic program of exciting temporary exhibitions.

How will the new museum contribute directly to student learning and degree courses?

Construction of the new museum will include research and study areas (object studios) to be used by both University and school students to engage in object based study and research of the museum’s collections. The exhibitions will also provide direct opportunity for on-site teaching and self-directed learning. Further it is anticipated that the new museum will contribute directly to Equivalent Full-Time Student Load growth of the Masters of Art Curating and the Masters of Museums and Heritage Studies.

How will the Chau Chak Wing Museum recognise the history of the University's museums and collections?

The Chau Chak Wing Museum is a continuation of the legacy of the initiators and benefactors of the University's original museums including Sir Charles Nicholson, the Macleay family and J.W. Power. This legacy will continue to be recognised through the continuation of their current names such as the Nicholson collection and Macleay collection and through named exhibition galleries in the new museum.

What has happened to the Lone Pine that was located near the tennis courts?

The Lone Pine has been carefully removed and transplanted to a specialist nursery on the north coast for safe keeping during the construction period. It will be relocated back to the site in 2020 when the building is completed.